THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

MOSHE RASHKES Of Blessed Memory

Honored: 1998
Location: Israel

Moshe Rashkes, director of the Israel (Ilan) Centre for the Physically Disabled, Ramat Gan, since 1965, is an icon among Israel’s remarkable rehabilitative sports programs for disabled children and world-class disabled athletes.

Rashkes was seriously wounded in Israel’s 1948 War of Independence and awarded a Citation of Valour. In 1950, he was named chairman of the Israel Disabled War Veteran’s Organization, where he was responsible, through 1958, for rehabilitation of more than 6,000 disabled war veterans. Among his pioneering ideas were sports activities keyed to assisting disabled veterans’ re-integration into society.

When Rashkes joined what was then the Ilan Centre for the Physically Disabled in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan, the facility provided services for fewer than 100 children. As the Israel Sports Centre, it grew to become one of the largest and most successful rehab sports facilities in the world, encompassing more than 2,500 disabled athletes.

A primary result of Rashkes’ efforts has been an increase in public awareness and understanding of the crucial nature of sports activities for the disabled and recognition of these activities as an integral part of sports both in Israel and throughout the world.

Rashkes has authored four books, including Doomed to Glory, published in 1995, which outlines his philosophy of rehabilitative sports.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually, honoring those individuals who have made significant contributions to the State of Israel and society through sports.
 
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